IRIA News

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), responsible for delivering aid to Palestinian refugees, has temporarily shut down its headquarters in East Jerusalem following a string of hostile acts, including a recent arson incident, and weeks of protest.

The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, announced the closure, stating that the headquarters would remain closed until adequate security measures are implemented to protect staff and facilities. Lazzarini said “Israeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter” when UNRWA personnel and staff from other UN agencies were inside the compound at the time.

“Over the past two months, Israeli extremists have been staging protests outside the UNRWA compound in Jerusalem, called by an elected member of the Jerusalem municipality. This week, the protest became violent when demonstrators threw stones at UN staff and at the buildings of the compound,” Lazzarini said on Twitter.

‘Outrageous development’

“This is an outrageous development,” he said. “Once again, the lives of UN staff were at serious risk.” Philippe Lazzarini added that a crowd accompanied by armed men were witnessed outside the compound chanting “Burn down the United Nations.”

He continued that the staff and volunteers working at the Jerusalem office have been subjected to harassment and intimidation by the Israeli extremists. “Our compound has been seriously vandalized and damaged. On several occasions, Israeli extremists threatened our staff with guns,” he added. Lazzarini emphasized the grave risk these attacks pose to UN personnel and criticized the insufficient protective measures provided by the Israeli administration.

This evening, Israeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter of the UNRWA Headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem.

This took place while UNRWA and other UN Agencies’ staff were on the compound.
While there were no casualties among our staff, the fire caused extensive damage… pic.twitter.com/ZqHFDNkiWC

— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) May 9, 2024

The Israeli police downplayed the latest incident of arson and valorization of the UNRWA office, blaming it on minors and underage individuals. “Preliminary findings from the police investigation suggest the act was taken by young minors, purportedly falling below the statutory age threshold for criminal liability,” the police said in its initial report.

Meanwhile, the UNRWA said about 300,000 Palestinians are being forced to flee once again from Rafah as Israel issued new evacuation orders to proceed with an invasion of Rafah. The city in the enclave’s southern region where more than a million displaced Gazans had sought shelter from Israeli bombardments over the past seven months.

Protests continue in Israel

Crowds of Israelis gathered in the streets over the weekend, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration to increase efforts in securing the release of hostages held by the Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Several family members of the captive were among the protestors who were demanding Netanyahu to step down as he failed to secure the release of the hostages. The demonstrations were arranged to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to accept the terms of a ceasefire agreement that Hamas agreed to on Monday.

In Tel Aviv, protesters gathered near the defense headquarters, while in Jerusalem, at least 100 demonstrators marched towards Netanyahu’s residence carrying a banner reading: “The responsibility lies with you.”

Thousands protest against Israel’s Eurovision participation in Sweden’s Malmo

In the Swedish city of Malmo, thousands have demonstrated against Israel’s involvement in the Eurovision Song Contest, with Israel’s conflict in Gaza overshadowing the glitzy event’s finale. Despite being a Europe-centric multinational annual song contest, Israel participates in Eurovision every year.

A huge gathering of demonstrators amassed at the central square of the Swedish host city, brandishing Palestinian flags and chanting “Eurovision united by genocide,” a play on the contest’s official slogan, “united by music.”

🇸🇪Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are marching through Malmö right now in protest against Israel being allowed to compete in Eurovision Song Contest despite of their genocide in Gaza.🇵🇸
pic.twitter.com/IHCXo7FafO

— Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis (@DrLoupis) May 11, 2024

The Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg also took part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the venue for the Eurovision. She was seen wearing a Keffiyeh scarf and shouting ‘This is genocide’. She was later escorted off the protest by police.